Lequile
Hello Lequile!
Welcome to Lequile, a municipality in the province of Lecce located in the Cupa Valley. With its 8,689 inhabitants, Lequile is a small town that lies along the old provincial road linking Lecce to Gallipoli.
Territory
The municipal territory covers an area of 36.36 km², mostly flat with altitudes that do not exceed 69 m above sea level. There are numerous uninhabited farms, including the Tramacere farmhouse located near the Galatina military airport.
Lequile borders Monteroni di Lecce and Lecce to the north, San Cesario di Lecce and San Donato di Lecce to the east, Soleto and Galatina to the south, and Copertino and San Pietro in Lama to the west. The distance from the center of Lecce is about 7 km.
Climate
Lequile has a Mediterranean climate characterized by mild winters and hot-humid summers. The average temperature of the coldest month, January, hovers around 9°C, while that of the hottest month, August, is around 25.1°C. Rainfall is present all year round, but intensifies in autumn-winter, reaching an annual average of 676 mm.
Origins of the name
According to a recent study, the name Lequile could derive from the expression "ad leucum", which means "bright clearing" or "clear water mirror". This suggests that the town may have originated in a place where there was once a clearing or a body of water.
History
Tradition has it that Lequile was born during the Roman Empire, when the centurion Leculus settled in the area and built a villa that later gave rise to a village.
From the eleventh century to 1463, the hamlet of Lequile was part of the County of Lecce and the Principality of Taranto.
What remains appreciable of the town is the historic center, where you can visit the Matrice Church of San Giovanni Battista, with its majestic Baroque facade, the Convent of the Basilians, and the Baronial Palace.
Culture and traditions
There are several cultural and sports associations in Lequile. Among the religious festivals, the most important is that of the patron saint San Giovanni Battista, celebrated on June 24th with the traditional procession through the streets of the town.
Economy
The economy of Lequile is mainly based on agriculture. The main crops are olive trees, vines, and vegetables. There are also some small handicraft businesses.
Curiosities
Lequile has been a filming location for the movie "Loose Cannons" by Ferzan Özpetek, which shot some scenes in the Matrice Church of San Giovanni Battista.
Conclusions
We conclude this tour of Lequile, the municipality of the Province of Lecce that is worth visiting. Its flat territory characterized by numerous farmhouses, its Mediterranean climate, its Roman origins, and its architectural beauties make this town a pleasant place to visit and spend some peaceful days. Come and discover Lequile!
